Watch video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jVwDZKU_Q0
Author: Elizabeth Mullins
Meet Joe Foister
“I am committed to showing up faithfully, loving people well, and being obedient wherever God leads.”
Meet Joe Foister, pastoral resident at GC Surrey Hills in Oklahoma. For Joe, ministry means walking alongside others and helping them grow. As he mentors young people, he is also being shaped in his own walk with Jesus.
Click here to read the full profile.
Citizens’ Toolbox—Obedience from Trust
Citizens of God’s kingdom understand that obedience is rooted in God’s goodness and love. Obedience reflects our trust in God. It’s our faithful response to God’s love, expressed by our trust and participation in God’s mission.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5–6 NRSVUE
Learn more about obedience in this Healthy Church Buzz.
Kingdom Living—Youth Discipled in Trust and Obedience
In September, we held our youth camp with 90 campers and 17 staff members from our congregations. Our theme was “Trust Him and Follow His Way,” based on Proverbs 3:5–6. Together, we explored the important question, “Who is our God?”
The campers joined in worship, group discussions, and small group fellowship. They also enjoyed games, sports, Biblical drama, and group presentations. Each camper had an opportunity to share an individual testimony and what God was teaching them.
It was a joyful and meaningful time of learning, fellowship, worship, and growing in faith. We pray that these young people will continue to trust God and obey him, following his way in their daily lives.
By Amiyo Bacher, Facilitator
Satkhira, Khulna, Bangladesh
Devotional—God Carried Them
So Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak:
“Fellow Israelites and others who fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. For about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.” Acts 13:16–18 NRSVUE
For as long as I can remember, I read and heard this passage as describing God enduring the wailing and lamenting Israelites as if they were a great burden for him.
In Luther’s German Bible translation (2017), it says: “And for forty years he bore them in the wilderness.” The MacDonald commentary explains: “he took care of their needs.” Of course, I knew that God wouldn’t let them starve — they had food, water, and shoes that didn’t wear out.
But after reading Deuteronomy 1:31, a light bulb went on for me. “Then you saw that the Lord your God bore you as a man carries his son, all over the path that you have walked until you came to this place.” I never realized how close and intimately he was connected to Isreal’s life.
It is so encouraging to read that God carried his people as a father carries his son. I can’t remember ever reading it that way!
Prayer
Loving Father, thank you for seeing us as your beloved children, never as a burden. Spirit, fill us with your compassionate love so that, through Christ, we may care for others with kindness and grace. Give us strength to bear with those who are weary, remembering that you faithfully carry us all in your loving arms. Amen.
Tammy Tkach, Assistant Pastor
River Road, Oregon, US
Adapted from an article, He Took Care of Them, on the GCI Germany blog.
We Are GCI Leadership
Prayer Guide—October 2026
“… God has already provided for us that response which alone is acceptable to Him — the offering made for the whole human race in the life, obedience and passion of Jesus Christ.” — J.B. Torrance
This October, we gather in prayer. We’re thanking God for the people he calls and equips to serve his Church. Together, we look to Jesus as he leads us in ministry and into deeper relationships with those around us.
Read the full Prayer Guide here.
Click here to download the October Prayer Guide.
Would you like to receive this Prayer Guide straight to your email inbox before the first of the month? Sign up here.
Women Encouraging Women
Cape Town, RSA
The theme of the Women’s Retreat was joy. The scripture focus was “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). Their intention was to come together as women but leave as a stronger sisterhood — renewed in faith, restored in spirit, united in purpose, and empowered to make a difference in their families, church and community.
Big Sandy, Texas, US
The September women’s ministry Heart-to-Heart gathering focused on God as our Rock. Participants fellowshipped while painting rocks. They compose encouraging notes to others on cards they made themselves. The women also shared lunch and were encouraged in this setting that allowed them to slow down, express creativity, and deepen friendships.
Citizens’ Toolbox—Generous Welcome
Citizens of God’s kingdom extend a generous welcome to others. Our welcome bears witness to the reality of their membership and inclusion in God’s family. We are not the gatekeepers of Jesus’ kingdom. Inclusion doesn’t equal assimilation, total agreement, nor uniformity. Communicating welcome and inclusion affirms to each person: you are loved, you are worthy of belonging, you are an image-bearer of God.
Check out this Church Hack for practical and applicable ways to foster welcome.
Kingdom Living—Making Space for Welcome
Kingdom Culture congregations create spaces for genuine welcome. We begin with fun activities, like you will see below. But it doesn’t stop there. With intentionality and discernment, we hope to shepherd our neighbors from fun, hangout spaces toward belonging and discipliship.
Check out these examples of welcoming spaces:
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- A carnival welcoming neighbors through fun and hospitality
- A neighborhood event creating connections with local families
- A neighborhood Game Night creating a low-barrier space for friendship to bloom
- A community picnic with relationship-building beyond Sunday worship
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River Road, Oregon, US
Pico Rivera, California, US
Steele Creek, North Carolina, US
Grove City, Ohio, US
